Bill Clinton and George W. Bush sounded like old college buddies when they appeared in Washington on Monday .

You 'd never know that Clinton was the candidate who made Bush 's father a one-termer , or that Bush ran for office in 2000 promising to restore `` honor and dignity to the White House '' after Clinton left .

Things are genial now that both men have their presidencies behind them and are focused on their legacies as former presidents . They appeared together on Monday to announce a new leadership program through their respective foundations .

But at times , it appeared the announcement took a back seat to the presidents ' relationship . The two former commanders in chief joked with and about each other , told stories about their relationship , and even offered commentary about the number of selfies each is asked to take .

`` He used to call me twice a year , in his second term , just to talk , '' Clinton said about Bush . `` We 'd talk -- depending on how much time he had , 'cause he was busier than me -- somewhere between 30 and 45 minutes , for several years . It meant a lot to me . ''

Clinton said he and Bush `` talked about everything in the right world . He asked my opinion , half the time he disagreed with it . But I felt good about that , I thought that was a really healthy thing . ''

Bush and Clinton were together Monday to announce the Presidential Leadership Scholars program , a partnership between their respective presidential centers , as well as George H.W. Bush 's and Lyndon B. Johnson 's centers .

The program 's aim is to bring `` motivated leaders across all sectors an opportunity to study presidential leadership and decision making and learn from key administration officials , practitioners , and leading academics . ''

It is well-documented that Clinton has grown closer with the Bush family since his presidency . Clinton and George H.W. Bush worked together after the Asian tsunami in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 , while Clinton and George W. Bush worked together after the 2010 Haitian earthquake .

Monday 's event was a mutual admiration festival . As Clinton heralded their post-presidency friendship , he regularly touched Bush 's arm . When the Arkansas Democrat reflected positively on Bush 's father , George H.W. Bush , Bush 43 looked at Clinton and said , `` Thank you , you are right . ''

When Bush gave Clinton advice on becoming a grandparent -- `` Get ready also to be , like , the lowest person in the pecking order in your family '' -- the two laughed and shared a hearty handshake .

Bill and Hillary Clinton are expecting their first grandchild this fall as their only daughter , Chelsea Clinton , is pregnant . Hillary Clinton attended Monday 's event and sat near the back .

During the event , Bill Clinton 's phone rang and the former president joked that `` only two people have this number and they are related to me . ''

`` I hope I 'm not being told I 'm about to become a premature grandfather , '' Clinton said to a chorus of laughs .

The former presidents were asked to reflect on each other 's leadership qualities .

Clinton said Bush was decisive and did what he thought was best for the country , even if Clinton sometimes disagreed with him .

`` I actually learned a lot watching him over the years , '' Clinton said .

Bush , in a briefer answer , said Clinton was an `` awesome communicator '' who can `` really lay out a case and get people all across the political spectrum to listen . ''

'' -LSB- There is -RSB- a lot to admire about Bill Clinton , '' Bush said , before noticing that he had said less than Clinton had .

`` Is that enough ? '' Bush said . `` It was a lot shorter than your answer , I know . ''

The differences between Bush and Clinton were also on full display . Clinton offered wordy , detailed answers , while Bush used more folksy one-liners and quips to engage the crowd . Both joked about how Bush often said he `` did n't do '' nuance .

Clinton said that before the event they `` were laughing about having to go to restaurants and having to spend our time taking selfies '' with fans .

Without skipping a beat , Bush said , `` At least they are still asking , you know . ''

Bush takes Ice Bucket Challenge , challenges Clinton

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Bush and Clinton 's genial relationship now that both have left office is on full display

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The duo is in Washington on Monday to announce a new leadership program

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Bush calls Clinton an `` awesome communicator , '' finds `` a lot to admire ''

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Clinton says he `` learned a lot watching -LRB- Bush -RRB- over the years ''